Start by choosing a model that suits the surfaces you need to clean and the tasks you want it to handle: manual vacuuming, automated cleaning or washing hard floors. Then check the accessories included with the exact variant you’re considering. A hard-floor washer such as the Tineco FLOOR ONE S5 won’t, on its own, replace a vacuum cleaner for carpets and rugs.
If you want one manual appliance to clean several types of surface, check which heads are included and what each is designed for. Dyson France lists different heads for its V15 Detect Absolute; the Miele Complete C3 Excellence manual covers carpets, rugs and delicate hard floors.
If you’d like to hand over some of the cleaning, check separately which tasks the robot handles and which are carried out by its dock. Roborock presents the Qrevo S with a dock and automatic emptying, but this doesn’t establish that a robot can replace all manual cleaning.
If washing is part of your routine, check which floor coverings the model is suitable for, and keep a separate solution for textiles if rugs and carpets are excluded. Tineco says the FLOOR ONE S5 must not be used on carpets.
For a home with hard floors and rugs or carpets, start by listing the surfaces you need to clean. Then decide which tasks you want to do manually, automate or wash.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Matching the heads to your surfaces | Check which heads are actually included and what each is designed for. Dyson France distinguishes between a hard-floor head and a Digital Motorbar; the Miele Complete C3 Excellence manual covers carpets, rugs and delicate hard floors. | If you move between hard floors and rugs or carpets, choose heads to suit your surfaces rather than relying on the format name alone. Around 29% of consumers are thought to prioritise this adaptability. |
| Choosing a manual format | Consider how easy it is to vacuum and which accessories you need for your tasks. Que Choisir’s guide describes stick vacuums as easier to manoeuvre, but doesn’t provide a measurement that applies to every model. | If you vacuum yourself and want to make cleaning easier, manoeuvrability may matter more than extra features. Around 24% of consumers are thought to put it first. |
| Deciding what to automate | Check which tasks the robot and its dock handle, then look for any restrictions on carpets when using the washing mode. Roborock lists a multifunction dock and automatic emptying for the Qrevo S. | If you want to hand over some of the cleaning without giving up every manual task, decide what you expect the robot to handle. Around 18% of consumers are thought to prioritise automation. |
| Planning for maintenance and repairability | Check the care instructions and repairability index for the exact model. The Ministry of the Economy says the index takes documentation, ease of disassembly and spare parts into account, among other things; it doesn’t measure floor-cleaning performance. | If you want to maintain your appliance and assess its repairability without confusing these factors with how well it cleans your floors, compare them separately. Around 18% of consumers are thought to prioritise long-lasting maintenance. |
| Adding hard-floor washing | Check that your floor covering is suitable for washing with the model you choose, and plan another solution for rugs and carpets if the manufacturer excludes them. Tineco specifies the FLOOR ONE S5 for hard floors. | If washing hard floors is your priority, make sure you have a separate solution for vacuuming textiles. Around 11% of consumers are thought to prioritise this task. |
Different heads can have different functions. A range name alone doesn’t confirm that the accessory you want is included with the variant being sold.
Compare the accessory list for that variant with the tasks you have in mind for your floors.
If the head you need isn’t included, check whether you can buy it separately.
For the documented roller on the Dyson V15 Detect’s illuminated cleaner head, Dyson says to leave it to dry for at least 24 hours before refitting it.
Allow for this in your routine and follow the instructions for each individual part.
The index tells you about a product’s repairability, not how effectively it picks up dust from your carpets. The Ministry of the Economy says it takes documentation, ease of disassembly and spare parts into account, among other things.
Use the index to compare the repairability of the exact model, then check its accessories and approved uses separately.
The Complete C3 Excellence is an example of a canister vacuum cleaner.
The French V15 Detect Absolute is an example of a stick vacuum with several heads.
The Qrevo S is an example of a robot vacuum with a dock.
The FLOOR ONE S5 is an example of a washer designed for hard floors.
The products below include robot vacuums for automated cleaning and a corded stick vacuum for manual cleaning across several types of flooring.
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Worth considering if you want to automate some of your floor care. Check which modes suit your surfaces and carpets.
The model is listed with 8000Pa, DuoDetect AI 3D, an anti-tangle brush, app control and a dustbin advertised to hold 45 days’ worth of dust.
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Worth considering for manual cleaning across several types of flooring. Check that the supplied brush is suitable for your floor coverings.
The model is listed as corded, with 65KPA and 600W, and suitable for carpets, hard floors and parquet.
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Worth considering as an additional robot vacuum for a home with mixed flooring. Check any washing restrictions and whether it’s suitable for your carpets.
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Worth considering if you want to automate cleaning on carpets and hard floors. Check the instructions for washing when carpets are present.
The model is listed with 8000 Pa, a bagless auto-empty station, an anti-tangle function and an advertised runtime of 180 minutes.
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Worth considering if you want to automate vacuuming and washing. Check the stated conditions for use on your carpets and hard floors.
The model is listed with a washing function, 16200 Pa, liquid detection, brush lifting and hot-water cleaning at 75°C.
No. Tineco’s French FAQ says the FLOOR ONE S5 must not be used on carpets. Make sure you have a separate solution for these surfaces.
For the documented roller on the V15 Detect’s illuminated cleaner head, Dyson says to wash it in cold water, then leave it to dry for at least 24 hours before refitting. This instruction applies to that specific part, not every component.
Yes. The DGCCRF lists household corded vacuum cleaners, non-corded battery-powered household vacuum cleaners and household robots among the categories covered.
No. The Ministry of the Economy describes the index as an indication of repairability, based in part on documentation, ease of disassembly and spare parts. It doesn’t measure how well a vacuum picks up dirt from carpets.
The legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory for goods sold by a business to a private individual. According to Service Public, a fault that existed when the goods were delivered may be covered by this guarantee if it appears within two years of delivery. It is separate from an optional commercial guarantee.